APPLICATIONS are now open for grant funding from the Grow the Game programme, a £1.5million investment by The Football Association.

Delivered by the Football Foundation and launched in 2010, it offers grants to grassroots football clubs that wish to create new teams.

This year, applications are being encouraged from clubs who want to start women and girls teams and disability teams.

Grow the Game grants help to reduce the costs associated with starting new grassroots football teams by making £1,500 available for each one a club creates.

Money can be spent on FA coaching courses, league affiliation costs, referees’ fees, first aid kits, and even football kit and equipment through a bespoke voucher.

In addition, male teams of Under 17s and upwards will soon be able to apply for support from the FA’s new retention-focused scheme Retain the Game.

It will offer £1million to successful applicants and be launched in April. The scheme will enable open-age male teams to apply for financial support to aid their continued participation in the adult game.

Last year the Grow the Game programme supported a total of:–

•2,047 new teams

•10,016 female footballers

•18,941 male footballers

•7,407 new coaching qualifications

The deadline for applications is Thursday, March 29.

For more information about the scheme contact the county FAs in Hampshire, Surrey or Sussex, or go to www.footballfoundation.org.uk